Repeated Reminders for the Path of Practice

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe

November 8, 2025

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju:

When a teacher observes that a student is prone to making mistakes, or perhaps is indifferent or neglectful in their practice, the teacher will offer repeated reminders and gentle admonitions. This is done out of a deep, compassionate hope that the student will remain vigilant, avoid creating negative karma, and escape the suffering that inevitably follows such actions. The teacher wishes for the student to never repeat the same errors, nor to fall back into the patterns of the past that have caused them so much hardship.

The Compassion of Repeated Guidance

A master will often speak directly to their disciples, offering constant guidance on how to regulate the heart and mind. They will repeatedly remind the practitioner to uphold the Precepts, to maintain the right conduct, and to focus on the essential pillars of the path. The master emphasizes the vital importance of Precepts, Concentration, and Wisdom, hoping that the disciples will listen with sincerity and follow these instructions, for in doing so, they will surely reap the benefits of the Dharma.

If one fails to regulate the heart, if one refuses to listen or uphold the Precepts, and instead chooses to act solely according to one's own desires, the karmic consequences will be severe. One may find oneself enduring great suffering, or even falling into the hells. One must be extremely cautious and never take these warnings lightly.

The Legacy of the Ancestral Masters

The ancestral masters have always sought to transmit their methods of practice and the fruits of their lifelong achievements to their disciples. They have written books, documenting their experiences and the insights gained through their own cultivation. Within these texts, they emphasize the most critical aspects of practice, offering repeated reminders so that those who come after them can strengthen their resolve, avoid creating negative karma, and refrain from repeating past mistakes. By doing so, the practitioner can make firm vows, set clear goals, and move forward steadily, supported by the Buddha's blessings.

The Body as a Vast Universe

This physical body is like a universe in itself, a combination of the four great elements. Within this body, we carry the spirits of heaven and earth, as well as the sentient beings with karmic affinity that have been connected to us throughout our accumulated lifetimes. When the Buddha or Bodhisattva saves and teaches these beings, they do so through the act of giving lectures. By observing the capacity, the conduct, and the state of the beings, they lead them to learn the teachings, make vows, and act according to the Dharma.

The masters offer repeated reminders regarding the problems they observe, hoping that the beings can change their ways, avoid repeating their errors, and successfully transform karma through their practice. This is the opposite of blind, aimless practice, which only leads to further violation of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.

Guidance at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre

At the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Goombungee, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, Namo Amituofo, the teacher, and Practitioner Su provide constant, repeated reminders to the fourfold assembly. They urge us to:

• Remain vigilant in areas where we are prone to negligence.
• Avoid repeating the same mistakes that hinder our progress.
• Follow the methods that are most conducive to achieving success in this lifetime.

The fourfold assembly must listen and follow these instructions faithfully. If you do so, you will surely realise your true nature and achieve success in your practice sooner rather than later.

Namo Amituofo